Gombak Food Festival 2025: A Resounding Success

By, Faruq Spahic and Danish Dathran

GOMBAK, 8 January 2025: The Gombak Food Festival 2025 at Masjid Al-Syakirin, Gombak on 5 January was a success as it featured local vendors and local businesses who came together to attract the Kampung Kerdas community making them more visible. The festival was organised by IIUM’s COMM3315: Integrated Marketing Communication (IMC) students in collaboration with Communication Students’ Association (COSA), Support Association for Parents of Special Needs Children (SUPPORT), Masjid Al-Syakirin and Jawantankuasa Pembangunan dan Keselamatan Kampung (JPKK), Kampung Kerdas.

The festival was part of the integrated marketing communication campaigns, IMC students had been conducting for their clients in the semester. Local townsfolk came out in droves to support food, culture, and entrepreneurship, enjoying a full day of culinary discovery, workshops, and entrepreneurial fostering all in good spirits.

The event kicked off with the launching ceremony involving the recitation of du’a by Izzuddin Soid and speeches by the Advisor of COMM3315, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Aida Mokhtar; Dean of AHAS KIRKHS, Prof. Dr. Shukran bin Abd Rahman; representative of Kampung Kerdas Village Head, Zuladha Amirudin, and the Chairperson of INSKEN, Tuan Haji Mustapha Kamil Ayub. They championed and spoke on the importance of nurturing micro businesses for the community and the importance of enhancing the Gombak community spirit.

The ten booths that featured Enjoy Burger, Dyslexia Cafe, Autism Cafe Project, My QT Bites, Mat Martabak, K-Link Care Center, Arisma, Kek Hidayah, Nasi Kukus Ayam Berempah, and Tuns Anuar had everything from burgers to nasi kukus to desserts and murtabak and a lot of other delicious offerings to showcase the tastes of Malaysia. Moreover, the festival was coupled with a car boot sale at the same location, rendering it a nice place to stroll, browse, and interact. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Aida Mokhtar and the related champions welcomed worthwhile implementation value for these youngsters and up-and-coming entrepreneurs to gain in their hoped-for endeavors.

The highlight of the festival was the launch of the “Made in Gombak” logo a branding initiative to localize branding and promote easier access and opportunities for Gombak entrepreneurs, designed by the students from Group 5 (with the client My QT Bites). An e-book titled, “Case Studies: Islamic Integrated Marketing Communication Campaigns of PwD Organisations” edited by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Aida was also launched.

It was followed by a certificate awarding ceremony for all vendors involved to appreciate their struggles and successes in setting up their businesses and for participating in the festival. As Assistant Programme Manager, ‘Alimatun Farihah Abdul Halim thanked everyone for making the Gombak Food Festival a success.

Gombak Food Festival 2025 was something beyond a filled stomach and pleased taste buds; it was an intentional, planned event that championed local entrepreneurs, engaged the community, and ensured involvement. People left not only well-fed and happy about the flavours they had encountered, but also with a newfound appreciation for the talents of Gombak residents. It is hoped that we can conduct similar events in the future.***